Med. Pro Praxi 2009; 6(5): 254-257 [Interní Med. 2009; 11(4): 182-185]

Neurological disorders and essential principles of pharmacotherapy in elderly

prof. MUDr. Zdeněk Ambler, DrSc

Neurologická klinika LF UK a FN Plzeň

The growing interest in health problems of the elderly is the result of changes in the population age distribution. The birth rate decline

and extended life expectancy result in the overall ageing of the population and this is accompanied by the increased consumption of

social and health services. In this country the proportion of citizens of the age of 65+ amounts to 14.6 % and according to the demographic

trend this percentage will increase each year. Simultaneously, the number of diseases directly associated with the old age grows

as well. Typically cardiovascular diseases and tumors are mostly involved, but mental diseases and neurological ones are also frequent.

The paper deals in with cognitive disorders, delirium, problems of falls and disorders of balance. Falls in older age is one of the frequent

causes of morbidity and mortality and consideration should be given to prevention. A specified approach is required in pharmacotherapy

of the elderly with respect to changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in an elderly patient as well as with respect to the

greater number of adverse events. The paper reviews basic principles of drug prescription to the old patients and risks of drug-related

neurological disorders.

Keywords: demographic trend, cognitive disorders, delirium, falls, disorders of balance, pharmacotherapy in elderly.

Published: December 1, 2009  Show citation